- Alcohol Sales Banned/Government backs paperless e-Office/Samui water rationing begins/Schools Struggle with Children’s Phone Addiction/HIV Cases Rise in Chiang Mai/79 Bangkok entertainment venues shut
- THE IRAN WAR: Saudi Arabia joins US fight
- ECONOMY: Why Is the Thai Baht So Weak?/Thailand seeks US tariff exemptions/Thai exports set to take a hit/September Finish Line for EU Trade Deal
- TOURISM: Spending money in Thailand/Travel demand brighter/Thailand Expects Record Indian Tourism/More tourists are not enough/7 million visit Phuket/Thai Airways Bangkok–Da Nang
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand has second-most national parks
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand Braces for Severe El Niño
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Thailand Alcohol Sales Banned for Two Buddhist Holidays
Thailand will enforce a ban on alcohol sales for two consecutive days this week to mark the Buddhist holidays of Asalha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day, with many shops, convenience stores and restaurants prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks, unless in areas falling under current exemptions.
The restriction began at 12.01 am today, and remains in force until midnight tomorrow. The Royal Thai Police have reminded businesses across the country that anyone selling alcohol outside the legal exemptions could face up to six months in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both. Continued …
Government backs paperless e-Office
The government has backed the Education Ministry’s plan to introduce a fully paperless e-Office system across all agencies from Jan. 1, 2027, as part of its drive to modernize Thailand’s public administration through digital technology.
The initiative aims to improve efficiency, reduce paperwork and administrative duplication, and speed up decision-making, coordination and document tracking, while ensuring transparency and accountability. Continued …
Samui water rationing begins Monday after drought
Koh Samui will introduce rotating water supplies for seven days from Monday after drought reduced available production well below daily demand, the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Samui branch has announced.
The move follows a continuing decline in raw-water levels, leaving the island unable to produce enough tap water for residents and businesses. According to the authority, Samui’s main available water supply for tap-water production, from the pipeline system from the mainland, is now about 16,000 cubic meters a day. Average demand on the island is 34,000 cubic meters a day. Continued …
Thailand Schools Struggle to Break Children’s Phone Addiction
Thailand’s schools are grappling with the lasting effects of children’s increased reliance on smartphones and tablets, as educators warn that habits formed during the Covid-19 pandemic are proving difficult to reverse.
The debate comes amid growing concern over the impact of excessive screen time on children’s mental health, learning and behavior. Unicef says nearly half of young people under 25 have participated in online gambling, while 33% are addicted to cyber gaming. Meanwhile, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation estimates that 98.2% of Thai children are now screen addicts. Continued …
HIV Cases Continue to Rise in Chiang Mai
Health authorities in Chiang Mai have warned that HIV infections continue to rise across the province, with the virus increasingly affecting the wider community rather than remaining concentrated within traditionally recognized high-risk groups.
According to the Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office, the province has recorded around 23,900 cumulative HIV infections, with approximately 700 new cases each year – the equivalent of almost two new infections every day. Continued …
Bangkok orders 79 entertainment venues shut in citywide safety checks
Bangkok authorities have ordered 79 entertainment venues and similar establishments to halt operations after inspecting 865 premises across the capital in a week-long safety and licensing campaign.
The inspections, conducted from July 19–26, covered 72% of the city’s target of 1,204 establishments. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration classified the 865 inspected establishments into three groups. Continued …
Saudi Arabia joins US fight against Iran-linked fighters
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined the United States in attacking fighters aligned with Iran, the Gulf state’s Ministry of Defense announced today.
Saudi Arabia struck Iran-linked militias based in Iraq, the kingdom said. The strikes come in response to attacks from the militants on the oil and gas facilities in the kingdom. Defense ministry officials said the strikes were conducted in coordination with U.S. Central Command, the military arm overseeing operations in the Middle East. Continued …
Why Is the Thai Baht So Weak?
The Thai baht has slid to 33.640 per US dollar, its 2026 high, marking an 8.% decline since February. This weakness stems primarily from the 250–275 basis point policy rate gap between the Fed (3.5%–3.75%) and the Bank of Thailand (1.00%), which sustains a strong carry advantage for dollar assets.
Compounding this, Brent crude near $88.50, up nearly 30% year-on-year, has increased Thailand’s energy import costs and dollar demand. Meanwhile, a B875.3-billion trade deficit from January–May, alongside a 19% US tariff on Thai exports, has further eroded currency support. Notably, softer US inflation and elevated gold prices — historically supportive of the baht — have failed to offset these combined pressures. Continued …
Thailand seeks 78 additional US tariff exemptions for key export goods
The United States recently announced Section 301 tariff rates for 60 countries that had not introduced and enforced bans on imports of goods produced with forced labor, with Thailand placed in the highest rate band of 12.5%.
The latest measure followed a US Supreme Court ruling that import tariffs imposed through presidential powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful. The earlier US reciprocal tariff announced for Thailand was 36%. Continued …
Thai exports set to take a hit from new US tariffs
The US tariff of 12.5% imposed on Thailand could weaken export competitiveness and add pressure to economic growth in the second half, with further US trade measures still looming, warns Asia Plus Securities (ASPS).
Therdsak Taveeteeratham, executive vice-president at ASPS, said the export sector faces growing uncertainty after the US introduced new tariffs under its Section 301 trade measures, raising concerns over the country’s competitiveness despite a strong recent export performance. Continued …
Thailand Eyes September Finish Line for EU Trade Deal
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun says Thailand is two-thirds of the way through concluding a free trade agreement with the European Union and is pressing Beijing on three fronts to correct an increasingly lopsided trade relationship — all part of a wider strategy to reduce Thailand’s reliance on any single major power.
While the bulk of public attention has been fixed on Thailand’s tariff negotiations with Washington, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said two other relationships — with the European Union and China — are just as central to her ministry’s strategy for insulating the Thai economy from the volatility of US trade policy. Continued …
Spending money in Thailand does not afford foreign nationals special privileges
Tourists cannot buy special treatment in Thailand simply because they spend money, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul declared yesterday as two explosive disputes involving Chinese and Italian visitors spiraled into diplomatic rows, official investigations, a GMMTV inquiry and police intervention.
As public anger intensified, the government delivered a blunt warning that Thai law applies equally to everyone, vowing to protect its citizens, reject foreign privilege and stop viral confrontations from damaging Thailand’s tourism industry or international diplomatic relations. Continued …
Travel demand outlook turns brighter
A weak baht, an incentive offering free domestic flights to foreign travelers, and the reintroduction of visa-free entry for Indian tourists offer upsides for travel demand in Thailand during the second half of the year through to 2027, although conflicts in the Middle East linger, say analysts.
Boonyakorn Amornsank, an analyst with Maybank Securities (Thailand), said recent data from Cirium, an aviation data and analytics company, indicates that travel demand in the fourth quarter of 2026 is likely to remain relatively flat, despite a 3% year-on-year increase in airline seat capacity in the third quarter. Continued …
Thailand Expects Record Indian Tourism in 2027
Thailand expects to welcome a record 2.7 million Indian visitors next year after recommending a 30-day visa-free entry, instead of the visa on arrival initially proposed, for Indian nationals, with tourism officials also banking on expanded flight connections from smaller Indian cities to boost demand.
The Thai cabinet has approved the visa exemption, although it will only take effect once the decision is published in the Royal Gazette. According to Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director for the ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Indian market remains one of Thailand’s strongest tourism performers despite an overall slowdown in international arrivals this year. Continued …
Why more tourists are not enough
More tourists are good news for Thailand. But not if the country cannot cope with the pressures they bring. Tourism is one of Thailand’s biggest sources of income. For decades, success was measured by the number of visitors. That yardstick no longer tells the whole story.
More visitors mean more revenue. They also mean greater pressure on local capacity. The challenge is to make sure that tourism money does not come at the expense of natural resources, local communities, public infrastructure, and the industry’s long-term competitiveness. Continued …
7 million visit Phuket in H1, B263 billion in revenue
Phuket generated 263 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first six months of this year, attracting nearly seven million visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The TAT Phuket office reported yesterday the island welcomed 6.96 million visitors between January and June, generating 263.01 billion baht in revenue. It said hotels recorded an average occupancy rate of 81.9% during the period. Continued …
Thai Airways Bangkok–Da Nang Flights from Dec. 1
Thai Airways will operate direct flights between Bangkok (BKK) and Da Nang (DAD), offering travelers a more convenient option for journeys between Thailand and central Vietnam, while further expanding Da Nang’s international air connectivity.
Thai Airways will operate two daily flights in each direction between Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and Da Nang International Airport. Continued …
Thailand Braces for Severe El Niño as Water Office Warns of Dry Spells into 2027
Thailand’s Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has issued a warning that an impending El Niño phenomenon could prove more severe than the country’s 2015 drought crisis, with prolonged dry spells potentially stretching well into 2027.
The agency convened an urgent meeting with 14 key government entities — including the Thai Meteorological Department, the Royal Irrigation Department, EGAT, GISTDA, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration — to coordinate emergency measures for the 2026 rainy season. Continued …
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Four Europeans Held at Phuket Airport in Cannabis Smuggling Case – Continued …
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Chinese Fugitive Held in Chiang Mai, Faces Deportation – Continued …
Who will top the next world order?
The era in which global order rested on a US monopoly over military and economic power and values has finally come to an end, taking Europe’s long period of stability with it. The world has become significantly more turbulent and uncertain, and the near future will bring even more instability. Continued …
Airbus completes record 24-hour flight
A specially modified Airbus A350 plane touched down in France yesterday after a record 24-hour test flight from Australia, ahead of it joining Qantas’s fleet next year. Its 23,076-kilometer (14,339-mile) journey was across three continents and two oceans, and through two sunsets and two dawns. Continued …
J&J reaches sweeping talc product settlement
Johnson & Johnson has announced that it will pay an estimated $5.5 billion to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its baby powder and other talc products cause ovarian cancer, in a landmark deal that could end a contentious legal battle that has dogged the company for a decade. Continued …
Hua Hin Links and Transport
Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers
Hua Hin Food Fest 2026 will return to Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab Aug. 28-30, featuring local food, fresh seafood, cooking competitions and live entertainment. The three-day festival will bring together restaurants, hotels and food businesses from Hua Hin and Cha-am, giving visitors the opportunity to sample regional dishes beside the beach.
New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
A nine-day Hua Hin cultural tourism event will be held at the old Hua Hin Railway Station Aug. 10-18, showcasing the art, culture and historical identity of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Thai authorities have expanded an enforcement campaign targeting suspected nominee-owned businesses in Phuket, with more than 361 companies now facing inspection following a confrontation at Chabad House in Patong.
Thailand has launched a digital application that allows diners to find certified street-food vendors, forming part of a government program to raise operating standards and expand market opportunities for small businesses.
Concerns over children’s mental health is renewing debate whether excessive use of mobile devices is harming academic performance and learning capability, while boosting social isolation and criminal behavior influenced by online personalities.
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a native plant closely associated with local ways of life and traditional Thai medicine. Its removal from Thailand’s narcotics list in 2021 marked an important turning point, opening the way for broader research, economic value creation and commercial development.
A police sergeant fought back after being shot in a daylight ambush by four gunmen in Thailand’s insurgency-hit deep south yesterday, returning fire despite a bullet wound before his attackers escaped by motorcycle and boat.
Amid a slowing economy and intense competition in the property market, developers of new housing projects are accelerating promotional campaigns offering discounts, giveaways and added incentives.
Despite US efforts to impose tariffs, Thai exports to America expanded over the first nine months of the fiscal year, up by nearly 34% year-on-year for a value of 2.13 trillion baht. In contrast, exports to China grew by only 0.78%, totaling 1 trillion baht.
China’s ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Zhang Jianwei, has set out a three-point plan for expanding trade, investment and industrial links between Thailand and China. Speaking at the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Friday, Zhang said closer business cooperation could turn high-level agreements into practical economic results.
Thailand is tightening its screening of data center investments, shifting its focus from the number and value of projects to their quality as the expansion of artificial intelligence drives demand for electricity, water and large-scale computing infrastructure.
The robot army is coming
Thailand Food Supplement Market to Reach US$ 2.52B by 2033
Thailand has built a strong medical-tourism industry and begun investing in genomic medicine and connected health data, but it still lacks a clear national strategy for competing in the emerging longevity economy.
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), one of Asia-Pacific’s leading healthcare providers, has unveiled WellEra Bangkok, an approximately US$865 million (THB 29 billion) wellness-integrated development that reimagines how the built environment can actively support healthier, longer lives.
The decision to give Indians 30-day visa-free entry is expected to drive the market to a new record of 2.7 million visitors next year, supported by more flights from second- and third-tier cities to Thailand, say authorities.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Temple Wins UNESCO Status
Mitsubishi Motors is set to invest B16 billion ($473.23m) in Thailand by 2030, backing the automotive sector’s move toward electric vehicles (EVs). The funding will be channeled into EV technology.
The world is sinking under more than 460 million tons of plastic waste each year. More alarming than the figure itself is the fact that about 19 million tons escape into the environment, wreaking havoc, damaging biodiversity, worsening the greenhouse-gas crisis and ultimately harming our own health.
Is Prachuap Khiri Khan The Most Underrated Thai Beach Town?
Hua Hin doesn’t look like a typical retirement hotspot in Thailand. No loud nightlife, no hype, no constant tourist energy. On paper it looks almost too quiet… but that’s exactly why it works so well for long-term living.
Households get more breaks on power bills
In Thailand, phone brands are seen as status symbols
Thailand seeks more EU investment with infrastructure and FTA drive
Three tourism stimulus schemes await approval
If you are looking for great and tasty seafood where tourists don’t go to then this is the place to go. It is one of my favorites in Hua Hin. Bring your best translator along as there is no English script menu but that means that great Thai dishes are going to be served. 
Thailand’s urban workforce is facing an escalating squeeze on disposable income as the price of popular ready-to-eat meals climbs across the country, driven by stubborn energy costs and transport inflation.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded Thailand’s GDP growth forecast to 1.9% from 1.5%, supported by the government’s stimulus measures.
Thailand generated just over 4.025 billion baht from foreign film productions during the first half of this year, with 302 overseas projects filmed across the country. The figures reinforce its position as a leading production hub in Asia and put it on course to set another annual revenue record.
Thailand’s tourism sector continues to feel the impact of a sharp decline in Chinese visitors, despite China regaining its position as the country’s largest source market in 2026. Between Jan. 1 and July 4, Thailand welcomed 16,210,890 foreign visitors, down 3.1% year on year, generating 782.57 billion baht in tourism revenue, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
A new Sadao checkpoint compound and road linking southern Thailand and northern Malaysia has been slated to open for users today after the prime ministers of both nations officiated its launch yesterday.
Thailand’s automatic rice transplanter can plant rice seedlings with incredible speed and precision. This smart farming technology helps farmers save time, reduce labor, and increase efficiency. 
For centuries, the identity of Thai textiles and handicrafts has been explicitly clear: vibrant, multi-colored regional weaves, intricate gold ornamentation, and complex motifs. These are not merely everyday materials but historic cultural artefacts reflecting local wisdom passed down through generations. Yet, a hard truth has loomed over the loom.
Patio Old Town Market Hua Hin
A construction pile driving crane rig collapsed and fatally crushed a worker on Rama II Road, forcing authorities to completely close traffic in the affected area while emergency crews responded and began recovery operations.
The Yoovidhya family of Red Bull fame have retained the top spot as the richest in Thailand for the third consecutive year with a net worth of $47 billion, followed by the CP Group’s Chearavanont brothers with $36.6 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
Ayutthaya elephants win praise for waiting at red light
The Constitutional Court’s ruling yesterday that the emergency decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow 400 billion baht to tackle the impact of the energy crisis and support Thailand’s energy transition does not violate Section 172 of the Constitution has done more than unlock the government’s borrowing plan.
The June 2026 Retail Sentiment Index (RSI) survey pointed to a narrow-based recovery in Thailand’s economy after government measures provided short-term support to purchasing power.
Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to swiftly resolve a recent fisheries trade dispute that disrupted seafood exports between the two countries, with both governments aiming to reopen affected markets within a week.
Nestlé has announced plans to invest 23 billion baht in a new Nescafé factory in Thailand after terminating its joint-venture agreement with Quality Coffee Products Co. (QCP), the company that previously manufactured Nescafé products in the country. The 50:50 joint venture between Nestlé and the Mahagitsiri family ended on Dec. 31, 2024, leaving QCP without the right to continue producing Nescafé products.
Sumed Prasongpongchai, director-general of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand, or GIT, said exports of gems and jewelry excluding gold were worth US$860.73 million in May, up 1.8% and extending growth for a third consecutive month. Including gold, exports were worth US$2.27442 billion, up 29.7%.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) met Israeli diplomatic representatives in Bangkok this week to discuss attracting more high-spending Israeli tourists to Thailand under its “Value over Volume” tourism strategy ahead of the coming travel season.
Thailand’s concert industry is growing rapidly, but so are complaints about ticket scalpers, scams, and organized groups buying up tickets before genuine fans have a chance.
Chiang Mai Ranked Third-Best City Worldwide
Chiang Mai, northern Thailand’s largest city, presents enduring Lanna heritage across living temples, artisan quarters, and surrounding mountain landscapes, underscoring its cultural and historical significance.Viewers encounter Chiang Mai travel context through Lanna architecture, historic temples in the Old City, and daily practices such as alms rounds and evening chants.
Why forest preservation begins with rewarding communities
Line Man Wongnai is stepping up its electric vehicle push in Thailand’s ride-hailing market, using a rental model to bring more drivers onto its Line Man Ride platform and piloting a new “Comfort” service for passengers seeking larger electric cars.
What happens to a PET bottle after it leaves the consumer’s hand can determine whether it becomes accumulated waste or raw material for a new product. In Thailand, a program created by Indorama Ventures, in partnership with Amata Corp., uses this path to transform used plastic packaging into school backpacks intended for children from communities near industrial hubs.
Phetchaburi’s tourism sector is looking to Hua Hin Airport as a potential driver of growth as officials move to position Cha Am and Hua Hin as higher-value wedding destinations, particularly for the Indian market.
The English We Like project opened at Prachuap Wittayalai School yesterday, with Prachuap Khiri Khan Gov. Sittichai Sawatsan presiding over the ceremony for the program, which aims to improve students’ English skills and support university entrance exam preparation.
This walking tour in Hua Hin begins along Soi 80 at night before heading to the famous night market, capturing the vibrant evening atmosphere of this seaside town. As you explore Soi 80 first, you’ll experience real ambient sounds, conversations from open bars, clinking glasses and the natural rhythm of the nightlife crowd. The street feels energetic but welcoming, with restaurants and small venues lighting up the night. From there, the walk continues toward the Hua Hin Night Market, where the focus shifts to street food, seafood grills and rows of illuminated market stalls. 
Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) resolved that there are sufficient grounds to pursue criminal and disciplinary action against six people, including five police officers, over the extortion of 6 million baht from a British drug kingpin, Ritesh Patel.
Thailand’s cannabis experiment is facing its strongest international reckoning yet after Thai and British authorities revealed that thousands of cannabis smuggling cases have been intercepted, with the United Kingdom accounting for nearly two-thirds of all seizures and organized crime gangs recruiting British couriers through social media.
Oil prices soared anew and stock markets slid yesterday after US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was over, following renewed strikes in the Middle East.
The government continues to grapple with the challenge of lowering retail oil prices, which remain stubbornly above 30 baht per liter despite recent declines in global crude markets.
Lower domestic fuel prices are expected to lift consumer confidence, but are unlikely to immediately reduce prepared food prices, according to the Thai Restaurant Assn.
The Thai economy is demonstrating far greater structural resilience than initially projected, prompting the central bank to upgrade its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the year to 2.3% — the most bullish estimate currently available in the market.
Thailand postpones land bridge and SEC bill for wider consultation
Thailand’s growing dependence on foreign digital platforms is raising fresh concern over whether the country is slowly surrendering economic value to businesses based overseas.
The House of Representatives yesterday unanimously approved in principle two bills to amend the Hotel Act, despite opposition criticism they would not adequately address long-standing regulatory problems.
Thailand Draws Visitors from Every Corner of Asia, Malaysia, South Korea, and China Lead the Way
Thailand names new long-necked dinosaur from Kalasin
Thailand has established itself as one of Southeast Asia’s leading destinations for luxury real estate, attracting buyers who appreciate high-quality homes, exceptional lifestyles, and a wide variety of residential options. From dynamic city centers to peaceful coastal communities, the country offers something for every type of buyer.
Hua Hin Municipality has ordered Soi 102 drainage work after residents complained about standing water and foul smells in the Na Ta Chang area.
The Pa La-U Fruit Festival 2026 has opened in Hua Hin, with locally grown GI durians on sale for 200 baht per kilogram, as organisers look to attract visitors and support farmers in Huai Sat Yai.
Registration is now open for the AIA One Billion Trail 2026 by TMS, which will take place in Hua Hin on Nov. 21. The event will bring runners to one of Thailand’s best-loved seaside destinations, with routes combining sea views, natural landscapes and plenty of adventure.
Thailand is bracing for another day of widespread rain, with the Thai Meteorological Department warning of heavy downpours in several parts of the country on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are expected to see thunderstorms across 70% of the area, while the North and Northeast face rain over 80% of their areas.
The Dutch embassy will relocate from its historic Wireless Road premises to new offices on Rama IV Road in August, ending nearly 80 years at its current site.
Survey shows economic fears persist
Confidence in the broader economy remains “subdued”, with concerns centering on corruption, inflation, and divided opinions about what direction the country should move in, market research firm Ipsos says.
Three of Thailand’s most senior property executives have delivered a sober assessment of the sector’s prospects for the second half of 2026, warning that sluggish economic growth, tightening credit and a climate of global uncertainty will keep the residential market subdued despite modest bright spots in tourism, branded residences and the luxury segment.
Travel And Tour World has released its Top 50 Medical Tourism Destinations for 2026, and Thailand has taken second place, bested only by Turkey and finishing ahead of a global field.
The Thai city of Pattaya is known for a brightly lit strip of go-go bars known as Walking Street frequented by tourists after dark. Its international reputation for seedy nightlife is justified, even if the city’s red light district is confined to only a few streets, according to travel bloggers and Thai tourism experts.
World’s top tourist destinations are done selling sunsets and are betting everything on dinner
Koh Samui shines in Asia-Pacific awards
Despite optimism around the US-Iran ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, it will take time for jet fuel prices to return to pre-crisis levels and airfares could remain high for longer than passengers expect, says the International Air Transport Assn. (IATA).
Thai grandmother Nom Prom-on rummages through rubbish bins looking for bottles, cans and paper to trade for food and other goods at a recycling cooperative providing a lifeline for Bangkok’s poor. Riding an old motorcycle with a rubbish cart attached, the 61-year-old and her husband Rai rise early to beat rival scavengers to claim the best of the city’s recyclabletrash, which they take to a cash-free “zero baht shop”.
Thailand has been ranked the best country in Asia and ninth globally as a retirement destination in the Global Retirement Index 2026. Thailand was ranked ninth worldwide and first in Asia by International Living, a leading US media outlet specializing in overseas living and retirement.
Located in the heart of Thailand, Hua Hin offers a unique blend of traditional Thai culture and modern amenities, making it an attractive option for those looking to live in Thailand. From its stunning beaches to its vibrant nightlife, Hua Hin has something to offer for everyone.
Hua Hin has long been one of Thailand’s favorite beach getaways, known for its royal history, relaxed atmosphere, and easy access from the capital. But beyond the beach, the city has a lot more going on than you might expect.
Bangchak Corp. (BCP) reduced the retail prices of two premium fuel products by 5 baht per liter from 5 am today. The price cut applies to:
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of heavy rain in parts of Thailand, with very heavy downpours possible in some areas of the east and the western side of the south today.
Thais genuinely enjoy playing the lottery. Even though the chances of winning the grand prize are staggeringly low, only one in a million, they buy more and more tickets every day.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday that 10 out of 11 Thai-flagged vessels and vessels chartered by Thai operators stranded in the Strait of Hormuz area after the closure announcement on Feb. 28, had now safely left the area.
Thailand’s total dependence on imported fertilizer has left its 16 million farmers dangerously exposed to global geopolitical shocks, according to industry leaders, state officials, and academics who gathered for a roundtable yesterday.
Thailand’s property market may be moving cautiously, but at the very top end developers are racing in the opposite direction. A new wave of branded residences — backed by global hotel, fashion, design and automotive names — is turning Bangkok, Phuket and resort destinations into a regional test ground for luxury homes sold not merely as places to live, but as managed, long-term collectible assets.
Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) decreased by 0.8% year-on-year to 101.18 points in May, due mainly to a slowdown in the domestic automotive sector, said the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). The index increased from 92.76 points in April, however, when global conflicts and domestic challenges weighed on industrial activity.
These 3 Small Thai Towns Could Stretch Your Budget Further
“The future is fully electric,” the president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand), Christian Schell, declared, expressing his confidence in the automobile’s future path. This was emphasized in the first half of 2026 by the oil crisis, when people turned to buying electric vehicles (EVs) in fear of fuel shortages.
Global investment in the energy sector continued to expand, with total investment reaching US$3.3 trillion in 2025, the highest level on record. Of this, US$2.3 trillion went into clean energy, helping lift the share of renewables and nuclear power in global electricity generation to 42%. 
Andrea Canonico focused on her breathing to stay calm as she lay trapped under a building that had crumbled during the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week. Just 23 years old, Canonico spent almost 48 hours in the same position before being pulled out – alive. 
Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin has offered a first look inside its new Zone B building ahead of its official opening in early July. The expansion will add 50 inpatient rooms and upgraded specialist departments, including the Heart Center, Gastrointestinal and Liver Department, Health Check-up Unit, Internal Medicine Department and Dermatology Department.
Residents and visitors in Prachuap Khiri Khan have been advised to monitor weather updates closely after officials issued a weather warning for heavy rain, flash floods, landslides and strong winds through Friday.
Construction of the first 1.3-kilometer section of Thailand’s border fence with Cambodia in Chanthaburi is 45% complete, a parliamentary delegation has been told.
For decades, Thailand’s economic engine was driven by manufacturing and export-led industries. Today, the kingdom is decoupling its growth from the factory floor and tethering it to the server rack.
Thailand’s vehicle production fell sharply in May 2026, as weaker exports, particularly to the Middle East, weighed on the automotive industry, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Live commerce is becoming a more powerful sales channel for Thailand’s farm produce, with a joint TikTok and Department of Internal Trade (DIT) campaign pushing durian sales on TikTok Shop up 10.6-fold.
America celebrates its 250th birthday this week. The US is now the world’s most powerful country, and every word and signature of President Donald Trump can shape events around the globe.
Last year, I moved to Chiang Mai, a city known for what Thais have termed “slow life”. I’m almost five years living in Thailand, and came to the country’s second city for a new teaching job.
The ghostly white creature curled up on a weighing scale is almost unrecognizable in the Facebook post offering it for sale. Only closer inspection reveals it to be a dead pangolin.
People in the Philippines are flocking to install solar power on rooftops and escape the burden of soaring electricity prices, making it the world’s biggest spender on solar panels since the war in Iran started. 
Volkswagen management has told employee representatives that the job cuts already agreed are not enough, according to a works council note. The note said any further reductions had not yet been quantified, at least not to the employee side. 
Bangkok commuters may finally be getting closer to something they have wanted for years: multiple trains, one ticket, and cheaper transportaion. Thailand’s Cabinet yesterday approved a cost-of-living measure to introduce a common fare system across urban rail transit lines, allowing passengers to travel for between 17 and 45 baht under a single-ticket scheme.
Crayfish on the loose in Phayao Lake
An average of 76% of adults surveyed in 35 countries, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, have no confidence in US President Donald Trump’s leadership of global affairs, with ratings for the United States negative in many places in Europe and Asia, an established research institute said yesterday.
The Thai economy is facing an uphill battle against a trio of deep-seated structural vulnerabilities, even as major economic research centers nudge short-term growth forecasts upward. In its latest economic outlook, the Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center (SCB EIC) upgraded Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for this year to 2% from a previous estimate of 1.7%.
The cabinet has approved the expansion of the list of price-controled goods and services to 66. The list now includes 61 essential goods and five services, for which providers must seek prior approval for price changes.
The SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), a research center under Siam Commercial Bank, expects energy costs will continue to propel inflation in the second half of the year, even as the Middle East war shows signs of de-escalation.
Thai Generation Z and millennials are experiencing greater concern about their financial future than their peers in many other countries, with housing affordability a particularly acute pressure point, a survey by Deloitte has found.
Chinese investors are becoming a more powerful force in Thailand’s industrial-property market, with growing demand for factory land in the Eastern Economic Corridor pushing Chonburi and Rayong further into the spotlight.
Why travelers are saying “Thank you, Thailand” before they fly home
In the old language of travel, the final souvenir was something tucked into a suitcase: silk, spices, ceramics, perhaps a fridge magnet from Bangkok or Phuket. In 2026, Thailand’s most elegant keepsake may be something lighter, cheaper and far more powerful: a palms-pressed wai, a smile, and a sincere “kob khun”.
Tourism revival plans take shape
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry is preparing to revive a state-backed tourism co-payment scheme as part of a wider push to stimulate travel in the second half of 2026.
As summer 2026 gets underway, the global tourism industry is regaining strong momentum, and one metropolis drawing attention from travelers from around the world is “Bangkok”.
The sizzle of socialization: How Moo Kata makes Thailand’s table glow
In Thailand, the most talked-about travel ritual of 2026 may not begin at a temple, rooftop bar, or Michelin-listed restaurant. It starts under fluorescent lights, beside a refrigerated aisle, with a plastic-wrapped sandwich waiting to be toasted.
In Bangkok, the dining room of the moment does not always arrive polished in marble and glass. It may sit behind a narrow frontage, up a steep old staircase, beside the roar of a wok, or inside a building that still carries the memory of trade, family, and neighborhood life.
Cutting Thailand’s Giant Jackfruit
Journey Through Wellness, Sustainability, and Authentic Thai Hospitality in Krabi and Koh Lanta
Ubon park put forward for UNESCO listing
Thailand must accelerate its shift away from fossil fuels or risk falling permanently behind its regional peers, the chief economist of SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) warned this week, as the kingdom’s heavy dependence on imported energy leaves it acutely vulnerable to global volatility.
Waste management is one of the most essential public services a city can and must provide. When it breaks down – even briefly – thousands of tons of rubbish pile up fast. Foul odors spread across neighborhoods.
The top 10% of global consumers cause $5.7 trillion in annual environmental damage, as they drive global challenges evolving into systemic economic and financial risks requiring immediate collective action, according to a Leiden University study.
In the next few weeks, Britain’s ruling Labor Party will select a new leader to replace Keir Starmer. But this prospect has not inspired hope of a political or economic renewal. Among British media and, more importantly, global financial markets, the consensus is that any revisions to the failing Starmer government’s policies will only make things worse. 
As Australia moves to scrap key property investment tax breaks, some investors are taking a wait-and-see approach as the new policy takes shape. The shift, the biggest in decades, is seen by some as ending Australia’s long love affair with property investment.